Interlayer film for laminated glass and laminated glass

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an interlayer film for a laminated glass and a laminated glass, which are protected against a slump in TL value through attenuation of said coincidence effect and adapted to display an outstanding sound insulation performance over a broad temperature range. An interlayer film for a laminated glass comprising a plasticizer and a polyacetal resin, which is a blend of a polyacetal resin having an average polymerization degree of 1,000 to 3,000 and a polyacetal resin having an average polymerization degree of 3,000 to 5,000, and which has an acetalization degree of 60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %. An interlayer film for a laminated glass which shows a temperature dependence of loss tangent in which the lowest-temperature side maximum of loss tangent appears at 30° C. or lower when examined for dynamic viscoelasticity.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/220,197, which is a §371 national stage of PCT/JP01/01620 filed Mar. 2, 2001, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an interlayer film for a laminatedglass having good moisture resistance, high resistance to panel shearand foaming at high temperature, ease of handling, excellent soundinsulation performance, and even good heat insulation andelectromagnetic wave permeability and to a laminated glass incorporatingthe same.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally a laminated glass consisting of a pair of glass panels and aninterlayer film sandwiched between the panels is laudable in safetybecause even on breakage its fragments do not scatter so that it is inbroad use for the glazing of road vehicles such as automobiles and ofbuildings, among other uses.

Among such interlayer films available for laminated glass use, aninterlayer film made of a poly(vinyl butyral) resin plasticized byaddition of a plasticizer has excellent adhesion to glass, high tensilestrength, and good transparency so that a laminated glass fabricated byusing this interlayer film is particularly suited for the glazing ofautomobiles.

Generally, the sound insulation performance is expressed in terms offrequency-dependent transmission loss, and JIS A 4708 specifies thetransmission loss for each sound insulation grade by a given value overthe frequency range of 500 Hz and up as indicated by a solid line inFIG. 1. Meanwhile, the sound insulation performance of glass sheet isconsiderably sacrificed by a coincidence effect in the frequency regionaround 2000 Hz as shown by a wavy line in FIG. 1.

The valley of the wavy line in FIG. 1 corresponds to a slump in soundinsulation performance due to this coincidence effect and indicates thatthis material does not exhibit the required sound insulationperformance.

Incidentally, the coincidence effect is a phenomenon such that when asound wave enters a glass sheet, a transverse wave propagates on theglass surface owing to the rigidity of the glass and inertia, and theresulting resonance between the transverse wave and the incident soundwave causes a transmission of sound.

The conventional laminated glass is satisfactory in the protectionagainst scattering of fragments but, in the aspect of sound insulationperformance, is not free from deterioration in this performance due tosaid coincidence effect in the frequency band around 2000 Hz and,therefore, an improvement in this aspect has been awaited.

Meanwhile, from the equivalent loudness curve, the human ear is known tohave a remarkably high sensitivity over the range of 1000 to 6000 Hz ascompared with the other frequency range and this indicates that it is ofgreat importance to a satisfactory sound insulation to get rid of theabove slump in sound insulation performance due to the coincidenceeffect.

In order that the sound insulation performance of a laminated glass maybe improved, it is necessary to attenuate the above coincidence effectto prevent said slump in the minimal part of transmission loss whicharises from the coincidence effect (hereinafter the transmission loss inthis minimal part will be referred to as TL value; FIG. 1).

As a means for preventing the slump in TL value, there has been proposedmany measures, such as increasing the mass of laminated glass, amulti-layer glass construction, division of the glass area, andimproving the glass panel-supporting structure, among others. However,these means are not only more or less unsatisfactory in effect but notavailable at commercially acceptable cost.

The requirements about sound insulation performance are getting more andmore rigorous lately and taking architectural glazing materials as anexample, the glass is required to have high sound insulation around roomtemperature. Thus, the required good sound insulation performance issuch that the temperature corresponding to the highest sound insulationperformance as determined by plotting transmission loss (TL value)against temperature (maximum sound insulation temperature=TLmaxtemperature) is in the neighborhood of room temperature and that themaximum value of sound insulation performance (maximum sound insulationvalue=TLmax value) itself is large. The same is true of road vehicles.Thus, including the wind-cutting sound at high-speed driving, vibrationsfrom the engine assembly, etc., the number of sources of noise callingfor a high level of sound insulation has been on the increase.

Furthermore, laminated glasses in these applications are actuallyexposed to a marked fluctuation of ambient temperature from a lowtemperature region to a high temperature region so that a satisfactorysound insulation performance is required not only in the neighborhood ofroom temperature but also over a broad temperature range.

However, the conventional laminated glass fabricated by using aninterlayer film made of plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) resin has thedisadvantage that its maximum sound insulation temperature is higherthan room temperature and its sound insulation performance in theneighborhood of room temperature is poor.

Moreover, if an attempt is made to insure a satisfactory soundinsulation performance, the interlayer film has to be soft enough sothat when assembled with glass panels to fabricate a laminated glass,such troubles as panel shear and foaming tend to take place.

As the prior art interlayer film designed to improve the soundinsulation performance of a laminated glass, Japanese Kokai PublicationHei-02-229742 discloses an polymer layer with glass transitiontemperature of not higher than 15° C., for example an interlayercomprising a laminate consisting of a vinyl chloride-ethylene-glycidylmethacrylate copolymer film and a plasticized poly(vinyl acetal) film.

This interlayer, however, is not only incapable of showing a soundinsulation performance over Ts-35 on the sound insulation gradeaccording to JIS A 4706 but also limited in the temperature range inwhich sound insulation performance is exhibited, failing to show asatisfactory sound insulation performance over a broad temperaturerange.

There has also been proposed an interlayer film for a laminated glasswhich comprises a poly(vinyl acetal) resin with an acetalization degreeof 60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %, thecombined total of said acetalization degree and acetyl group contentbeing not less than 75 mol %, and a plasticizer which, in the presenceof the resin, shows a cloud point of not higher than 50° C. Thisinterlayer film has certainly been improved in the aspects of soundinsulation performance and temperature dependence of the performance butbecause the film is soft, it has the drawback that, when assembled withglass panels to fabricate a laminated glass, such troubles as panelshear and foaming tend to occur.

Japanese Kokai Publication Sho-51-106190 proposes a composition having adamping function over a broad temperature range as fabricated by layingup two or more kinds of resins varying in glass transition temperature.It is stated that this composition has an improved damping function overa broad temperature range. However, it is not obvious from thedescription whether this composition ever has properties required oflaminated glass such as the sound insulation properties andtransparency, and, moreover, this composition does not satisfy therequirements necessary for a safety glass, namely high impact energyabsorbency and prevention of fragment scattering in the event of glassbreakage.

Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-04-254444 proposes an interlayerfabricated by laminating a film consisting of a poly(vinyl acetal)containing acetal groups of 6 to 10 carbon atoms and a plasticizer witha film consisting of a poly (vinyl acetal) containing acetal groups of 1to 4 carbon atoms and a plasticizer. This interlayer has a definitelyimproved sound insulation performance with little temperature-dependentvariation but these improvements are still insufficient.

Thus, none of the above prior art interlayer films have satisfactoryphysical properties or are fully qualified to provide for laminatedglass products showing a fully satisfactory sound insulation performanceover a broad temperature range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the light of the above state of the art, the present invention hasfor its object to provide an interlayer film for a laminated glasswhich, without being compromised on the basic functional characteristicsrequired of laminated glass such as transparency, weatherability, impactenergy absorbency, and adhesion to glass or on interlayer filmmoldability and ease of handling, is protected against a slump in TLvalue through attenuation of said coincidence effect, adapted to displayan outstanding and steady sound insulation performance over a broadtemperature range on a long-term basis, and owing to satisfactoryphysical properties further protected against panel shear and foaming.It is another object of the invention to provide a laminated glassfabricated by using said interlayer film.

The first aspect of the present invention is concerned with aninterlayer film for a laminated glass comprising a poly(vinyl acetal)resin (C),

-   -   which is a blend of a poly(vinyl acetal) resin (A) and a        poly(vinyl acetal) resin (B), and a plasticizer,    -   said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (A) having an average        polymerization degree 1,000 to 3,000,    -   said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (B) having an average        polymerization degree 3,000 to 5,000,    -   the difference in the average polymerization degree between said        poly (vinyl acetal) resin (A) and poly(vinyl acetal) resin (B)        being not less than 1,500,    -   said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) having an acetalization degree        of 60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %,        the combined total of said acetalization degree and acetyl group        content being not less than 75 mol %, and    -   the cloud point of a solution prepared by dissolving 8 weight        parts of the poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) in 100 weight parts of        the plasticizer being not higher than 50° C.

The present invention relates, in the second aspect, to an interlayerfilm for a laminated glass

-   -   which comprises a laminate of films each comprising a poly(vinyl        acetal) resin plasticized with at least one kind of plasticizer        selected from the group consisting of triethylene glycol        di-2-ethylhexanoate, tetraethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate,        triethylene glycol di-n-heptanoate, and tetraethylene glycol        di-n-heptanoate, and    -   which shows a temperature dependence of loss tangent in which        the lowest-temperature side maximum of loss tangent appears at        30° C. or lower when examined for dynamic viscoelasticity.

In the second aspect of the present invention, at least one constituentlayer is preferably such that the cloud point of a solution prepared bydissolving 8 weight parts of the poly (vinyl acetal) resin in 100 weightparts of the plasticizer is not higher than 50° C.

In the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that theamount of the plasticizer relative to 100 weight parts of the poly(vinylacetal) resin is larger in at least one constituent layer than that inthe other layer or layers by not less than 5 weight parts.

In the second aspect of the present invention, at least one constituentlayer is preferably such that the poly(vinyl acetal) resin has anaverage polymerization degree of not less than 1,500, an acetalizationdegree of 60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %,with the combined total of said acetalization degree and acetyl groupcontent being not less than 75 mol %.

The second aspect of the present invention is preferably such that atleast one constituent layer comprises a poly (vinyl acetal) resin (C)derived from a poly(vinyl alcohol) resin

-   -   which is a blend of a poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (A) and a        poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (B), and a plasticizer,    -   the difference in the average polymerization degree between said        poly (vinyl alcohol) resin (A) and said poly(vinyl alcohol)        resin (B) being not less than 500,    -   said poly (vinyl acetal) resin (C) having an acetalization        degree of 60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30        mol %, with the combined total of said acetalization degree and        acetyl group content being not less than 75 mol % or    -   that at least one constituent layer comprises a poly (vinyl        acetal) resin (F),    -   which is a blend of a poly(vinyl acetal) resin (D) and a        poly(vinyl acetal) resin (E), and a plasticizer, the difference        in the average polymerization degree between said poly(vinyl        acetal) resin (D) and said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (E) being        not less than 500, and    -   said poly (vinyl acetal) resin (F) having an acetalization        degree of 60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30        mol %, with the combined total of said acetalization degree and        acetyl group content being not less than 75 mol %. More        preferably, the average polymerization degree of said poly(vinyl        alcohol) resin (A) is 500 to 3,000, the average degree of said        poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (B) is 3,000 to 5,000, or    -   the average polymerization degree of said poly(vinyl acetal)        resin (D) is 500 to 3,000 and the average polymerization degree        of said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (E) is 3,000 to 5,000.

In the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that atleast one constituent layer comprises a poly(vinyl acetal) resin whichcontains a metal oxide microparticle having a heat ray-shieldingfunction.

It is preferable that each of the first and the second aspects of thepresent invention further comprise a polyester film as additionallylaminated.

In the first and the second aspects of the present invention, the poly(vinyl acetal) resin is preferably a poly (vinyl butyral) resin.

A laminated glass as fabricated by interposing the interlayer film for alaminated glass according to the first and the second aspects of theinvention between at least a pair of glass panels and laminating theminto an integral sheet also constitutes another aspect of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the sound insulation performanceof a laminated glass in terms of transmission loss plotted againstfrequency.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to the first aspectof the invention is an interlayer film for a laminated glass comprisinga poly (vinyl acetal) resin (C), which is a blend of a poly(vinylacetal) resin (A) and a poly(vinyl acetal) resin (B), and a plasticizer.

The poly (vinyl acetal) resins (A) and (B) for use in this first aspectof the present invention can each be obtained by, for example, theprocedure comprising dissolving a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in hotwater, holding the resulting aqueous solution at a predeterminedtemperature, adding thereto an aldehyde and a catalyst to thereby causean acetalization reaction to proceed, then holding the reaction mixtureat a predetermined high temperature, and thereafter subjecting itserially to neutralization, water washing, and drying to give a resinpowder.

The PVA mentioned above is not particularly restricted but preferably isone having an average polymerization degree within the range of 500 to5,000. If it is less than 500, the product interlayer film for alaminated glass will be too low in strength to impart sufficientpenetration resistance and impact energy absorbency to a laminatedglass. On the other hand, if the polymerization degree exceeds 5,000,the resin may become hardly moldable and, in addition, the productinterlayer film for a laminated glass tends to be too high in strengthto impart sufficient penetration resistance and impact energy absorbencyto a laminated glass. The more preferred range is 1,000 to 5,000.

The aldehyde mentioned above is not particularly restricted but includesformaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, n-butyraldehyde,isobutyraldehyde, valeraldehyde, n-hexylaldehyde, 2-ethylbutyraldehyde,benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, and so forth. These may be used eachindependently or in a combination of two or more species.

The various poly(vinyl acetal) resins thus obtained may be used eachalone or in a combination of two or more species but the poly(vinylbutyral) resin obtained by acetalizing n-butyraldehyde is preferred. Byusing a poly(vinyl butyral) resin, the transparency, weather ability,and adhesion to glass of the interlayer film for a laminated glass canbe improved.

The poly(vinyl acetal) resin (A) for use in the first aspect of thepresent invention has an average polymerization degree within the rangeof 1,000 to 3,000 and the poly(vinyl acetal) resin (B) has an averagepolymerization degree within the range of 3,000 to 5,000, with thedifference in the average polymerization degree between said poly (vinylacetal) resin (A) and poly(vinyl acetal) resin (B) being not less than1,500.

By using the poly(vinyl acetal) resin (A) having an averagepolymerization degree within the range of 1,000 to 3,000, the soundinsulation performance of the product interlayer film for a laminatedglass can be made satisfactory over a broad temperature range,particularly in a low temperature region, but since the film becomessoft, panel shear and foaming take place when it is assembled into alaminated glass. On the other hand, when said poly(vinyl acetal) resin(B) having an average polymerization degree within the range of 3,000 to5,000 is used, the product interlayer film for a laminated glass isrendered so hard as to preclude said panel shear and foaming in theproduct laminated glass but because the high-temperature viscositybecomes too high, the moldability of the resin is adversely affected.Therefore, the difference in the average polymerization degree betweensaid poly (vinyl acetal) resin (A) and said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (B)is specified to be not less than 1,500.

By using a poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) obtained by blending saidpoly(vinyl acetal) resin (A) and said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (B) insuch a combination that the difference in the average polymerizationdegree between the resins will be at least 1,500, the product interlayerfilm for a laminated glass is not only allowed to exhibit an excellentsound insulation performance over a broad temperature range but alsocaused to have suitable physical properties so that said panel shear andfoaming in the product laminated glass can be prevented. If thedifference in the average polymerization degree is less than 1,500, theproduct interlayer film for a laminated glass will not have favorablephysical properties.

The technology for blending said poly (vinyl acetal) resin (A) with saidpoly(vinyl acetal) resin (B) includes, for example, the method whichcomprises blending poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) species differing in theaverage polymerization degree in a predetermined ratio and carrying outan acetalization reaction to give a mixed poly(vinyl acetal) resin andthe method which comprises blending poly(vinyl acetal) resin speciesobtained from PVA species differing in the average polymerizationdegree.

The poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) for use in the first aspect of thepresent invention has an acetalization degree of 60 to 85 mol % and anacetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %, with the combined total of saidacetalization degree and acetyl group content being not less than 75 mol%.

The poly(vinyl acetal) resin is composed of a vinyl acetal component anda vinyl alcohol component. The amounts of these components(acetalization degree, acetyl group content) in the first aspect of theinvention can be determined in accordance with JIS K 6728 “TestingMethods for Polyvinyl Butyral” or by infrared absorption (IR)spectrometry.

If the above acetalization degree is less than 60 mol %, thecompatibility of the resin with the plasticizer to be describedhereinafter will be so poor that it will be difficult to add a necessaryamount of the plasticizer to insure the sound insulation performance andpenetration resistance of laminated glass. Along reaction time isrequired to obtain a resin having an acetalization degree of over 85 mol% and this is undesirable from the standpoint of process. The preferredacetalization degree is 63 to 70 mol %.

If said acetyl group content is less than 8 mol %, the compatibility ofthe resin with the plasticizer to be described hereinafter will be poorand, moreover, the glass transition temperature of the product resinwill not be sufficiently lowered so that the sound insulationperformance on the low temperature side may not be sufficientlyimproved. An attempt to obtain a poly(vinyl acetal) resin with an acetylgroup content exceeding 30 mol % cannot be recommended, for theabove-mentioned reactivity of PVA with an aldehyde will be considerablydecreased. The preferred acetyl group content is 10 to 24 mol %.

If the combined total of said acetalization degree and acetyl groupcontent is less than 75 mol %, the compatibility of the resin with theplasticizer to be described below will be insufficient. The preferredtotal amount is not less than 77 mol %.

The plasticizer mentioned above is not particularly restricted butincludes organic ester plasticizers such as monobasic acid esters andpoly basic acid esters; and phosphoric acid plasticizers such as organicphosphates and organic phosphites, among others.

The monobasic acid ester plasticizer referred to above is notparticularly restricted but includes glycol esters which are obtained byreacting a glycol, such as triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, andtetraethylene glycol, with an organic acid, such as butyric acid,isobutyric acid, caproic acid, 2-ethylbutyric acid, heptanoic acid, and2-ethylhexanoic acid.

The polybasic acid ester plasticizer referred to above is notparticularly restricted but includes esters obtained by, for example,reacting a linear-chain or branched-chain alcohol of 4 to 8 carbon atomswith an organic acid, such as adipic acid, sebacic acid, and azelaicacid.

The phosphoric acid plasticizer referred to above is not particularlyrestricted but includes tributoxyethyl phosphate, isodecylphenylphosphate, and so forth.

The preferred, among the above various kinds of plasticizers, aretriethylene glycol di-2-ethylbutyrate (3 GH), triethylene glycoldi-2-ethylhexanoate (3GO), triethylene glycol di-n-heptanoate (3G7),triethylene glycol dicaprylate, triethylene glycol di-n-octanoate,tetraethylene glycol di-2-ethylbutyrate, tetraethylene glycoldi-n-heptanoate, dihexyl adipate, dibenzyl phthalate, and so forth. Themore preferred are 3 GH, 3GO, and 3G7. These plasticizers may be usedindependently or in a combination of two or more species.

Referring to the interlayer film for a laminated glass according to thefirst aspect of the invention, and to the combination of a poly(vinylacetal) resin (C) with the plasticizer, it is preferable to use apoly(vinyl butyral) resin as the poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) and atleast one member selected from the group consisting of 3 GH, 3GO and 3G7as the plasticizer.

The level of addition of the plasticizer relative to said poly(vinylacetal) resin (C) is not particularly restricted but based on 100 weightparts of the poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C), the plasticizer is usedpreferably in a proportion of 30 to 70 weight parts. If the proportionis less than 30 weight parts, the poly (vinyl acetal) resin may not besufficiently plasticized. If it exceeds 70 weight parts, the productinterlayer film for a laminated glass will be decreased in mechanicalstrength with the consequent poor impact resistance and the adhesion ofthe interlayer to glass also tends to become insufficient.

Referring to the interlayer film for a laminated glass according to thefirst aspect of the invention, the cloud point of a solution prepared bydissolving 8 weight parts of said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) in 100weight parts of the plasticizer is not over 50° C. If it is higher than50° C., the compatibility of the resin with the plasticizer will be sopoor that it will be difficult to add a necessary amount of theplasticizer to insure the sound insulation performance and penetrationresistance of the laminated glass. The preferred cloud point is not over30° C.

In the context of the first aspect of the present invention, the cloudpoint is the cloud point measured in accordance with JIS K 2269 “TestingMethods for Pour Point and Cloud Point of Crude Oil and PetroleumProducts”. More particularly, a solution prepared by dissolving 8 weightparts of poly(vinyl acetal) resin in 100 weight parts of plasticizer isheated to 150° C. or a higher temperature and, then, allowed to stand inan atmosphere at 10 to 30° C. to let it cool. The temperature at whichlocal clouding begins to occur in the solution is defined as the cloudpoint. It is postulated that the lower the cloud point is, the higher isthe compatibility of the resin with the plasticizer.

The method of measuring the temperature (cloud point) at which localclouding begins to occur in the above solution includes, for example,the method involving a visual observation of the appearance of thesolution, the method which comprises measuring the haze value of thesolution with a haze meter, and the method which comprises preparing aseries of clouding limit samples in advance and assessing the actualcloudiness against these limit samples.

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to the second aspectof the present invention is a laminate of films each comprising a poly(vinyl acetal) resin and at least one kind of plasticizer selected fromthe group consisting of triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate,tetraethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate, triethylene glycoldi-n-heptanoate, tetraethylene glycol di-n-heptanoate.

In this second aspect of the invention, it is preferable to laminatemore than one resin films which insure a satisfactory sound insulationperformance over a broad temperature range. By such lamination, thetemperature dependence of sound insulation performance of each film issuperimposed to render the sound insulation performance of the laminatesatisfactory over a broad temperature range.

For example, to provide a laminated film with a good sound insulationperformance on the lower temperature side, the sound insulationperformance of one constituent layer may be shifted toward the lower endof the temperature scale. Specifically, the relative amount of theplasticizer may be increased to lower the glass transition temperatureof the layer. By so doing, the sound insulation performance of thelaminated film on the lower temperature side is certainly improved.However, the film will then become soft to impair the dynamiccharacteristics required of an interlayer film, the ease of handling andmoldability, with a drastic reduction in impact resistance of thelaminated glass. Moreover, when the laminated glass is held stationaryin a vertical position with one of its component glass panels beingallowed to move freely in the vertical direction, this glass panel tendsto be displaced vertically by shear owing to the soft layer of thelaminated film. This phenomenon tends to be remarkable particularlyunder high temperature conditions. Furthermore, in the bake test whichcomprises allowing a laminated glass to sit at a temperature of 100° C.or higher for about 2 hours, foaming tends to take place within thefilm.

Therefore, concerning the second aspect of the invention, manyinvestigations were made to insure that the temperature dependence ofsound insulation performance designed for each single layer would not bechanged owing to lamination and that panel shear would not occur at hightemperature.

Further, the recent trend toward the use of glass tailored to anautomobile includes the use of laminated glass for the side glass andthe popularity of the exposed-edge design of the front glass. In thesecases, the sectional edge of the laminated glass is directly exposed tothe human eye.

A laminated glass undergoes hygroscopic degradation involving whiteningof the film (hygroscopic whitening) upon prolonged exposure to highhumidity conditions. Thus, if this hygroscopic whitening takes place inthe above cases where the sectional edge is exposed, a major aestheticproblem arises. Therefore, an improvement in moisture resistance forsuppressing this hygroscopic whitening is also an indispensablerequisite of a sound-insulation film.

Taking these matters into consideration, the present inventors did muchresearch and found that the above disadvantages can be resolved andovercome by controlling the constitution of the resin of the resin filmand the compatibility of the plasticizer with the resin.

The poly(vinyl acetal) resin for use in the second aspect of theinvention is not particularly restricted but may be the same as theresin used in the first aspect of the invention. However, a poly(vinylbutyral) resin as acetalized with butyraldehyde is preferred in terms offilm transparency, weatherability, and adhesion to glass and so forth.

The plasticizer for use in the second aspect of the invention isrestricted, as mentioned above, to triethylene glycoldi-2-ethylhexanoate (3GO), tetraethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate(4GO), triethylene glycol di-n-heptanoate (3G7), and tetraethyleneglycol di-n-heptanoate (4G7). In reconciling plasticization and soundinsulation properties, it may happen, with any plasticizer other thanthe above species, that troubles relating to heat resistance andmoisture resistance which are not observed in ordinary applications areencountered depending on test conditions. The above-mentionedplasticizer species may be used each independently or in a combinationof two or more species.

The level of addition of said plasticizer is not particularly restrictedbut, based on 100 weight parts of the poly(vinyl acetal) resin, theplasticizer is used preferably in a proportion of 30 to 70 weight parts.If it is less than 30 weight parts, the plasticization of the poly(vinylacetal) resin tends to be insufficient and the sound insulationperformance will also become insufficient in many instances. On theother hand, if it exceeds 70 weight parts, the dynamic properties of theresin layer and of the interlayer film and the adhesion to glass tend tobe insufficient.

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to the second aspectof the invention shows a temperature dependence of loss tangent in whichthe lowest-temperature side maximum of loss tangent appears at 30° C. orlower when examined for dynamic viscoelasticity.

Generally when the dynamic viscoelasticity measurement of a high polymermaterial is carried out, two kinds of dynamic elastic modulus values,namely storage elastic modulus and loss elastic modulus values, andtheir ratio, namely loss tangent (tan δ), are obtained. For example,when the above measurement is carried out with the temperature beingvaried, the loss tangent assumes a maximum value at a certaintemperature. Generally speaking, the temperature corresponding to thismaximum value corresponds to the glass transition temperature (Tg), thatis to say the softening point, of the material.

When the Tg of a plasticized poly (vinyl acetal) resin film is in theneighborhood of room temperature, the sound insulation performance of alaminated glass comprising the resin film is remarkably good in theneighborhood of room temperature. However, when the Tg value is close toroom temperature, the film is too soft for ease of handling in themanufacture of a laminated glass and, in addition, the impact resistanceof the laminated glass tends to be insufficient. Therefore, in thesecond aspect of the invention, a flexible resin film is laminated witha comparatively tough resin film to reconcile sound insulationperformance and strength inclusive of the ease of handling. However, ithas been found extremely difficult to measure the Tg of the individualconstituent layers of a laminate. Although one may measure the Tg ofeach layer prior to lamination, it happens at times that the Tg valuesof respective layers so measured prove meaning less because, dependingon the combination of a resin with a plasticizer, a migration of theplasticizer from one layer to another layer takes place afterlamination.

However, it has been discovered that when the dynamic viscoelasticitymeasurement by the shear method is carried out, the tan δ behavior ofeach constituent layer of a laminate becomes apparent and the Tg of theparticular layer can be estimated from this behavior.

The temperature corresponding to the maximum value of tan δ on thelowest temperature side of the interlayer film for a laminated glassaccording to the second aspect of the invention is relevant to thesoftest layer in the laminate and when this temperature is not over 30°C., the sound insulation performance of a laminated glass comprisingthis laminate film is quite excellent. If 30° C. is exceeded, thelaminate film will not exhibit sufficient flexibility in theneighborhood of room temperature and, hence, a laminated glasscomprising this laminate film will not exhibit a good sound insulationperformance around room temperature.

The measurement of dynamic viscoelasticity by shear method can becarried out using an ordinary dynamic viscoelasticity measuringinstrument, and the operating principle comprises applying a strain withmicrovibrations to a sample, detecting the response stress, andcalculating the elastic modulus. From the two kinds of modulus valuesobtained, namely loss modulus and storage modulus values, the losstangent (tan δ) which is the ratio of said two kinds of modulus valuesis calculated. This tan δ gives a maximum value on the temperaturescale. The temperature corresponding to this maximum value of tan δ isregarded as the glass transition temperature of the particular material.

The method of applying a strain with microvibrations is not particularlyrestricted but since the tan δ behavior of each constituent layer of alaminate film cannot be measured by the pulling method, the shearmethod, for example, is used with advantage.

The frequency of the microvibratory strain is not particularlyrestricted but in consideration of the ease of measurement and theaccuracy of measurement values, 10 Hz is used with advantage.

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to the second aspectof the invention is preferably such that, in regard of at least oneconstituent layer thereof, the cloud point of the mixed solution of theplasticizer and the poly(vinyl acetal) resin is not higher than 50° C.The cloud point in this context has the same meaning as defined for thefirst aspect of the invention. When the cloud point is over 50° C., itmeans that the compatibility between the poly (vinyl acetal) resin andthe plasticizer is not good enough so that the sound insulationperformance of the layer, particularly the sound insulation performancein the low temperature region, can hardly be improved. The morepreferred cloud point is not over 30° C., and the still more preferredcloud point is not over 20° C.

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to the second aspectof the invention is preferably such that the amount of the plasticizerper 100 weight parts of the poly (vinyl acetal) resin is in at least oneconstituent layer larger than that in the other layer or layers by notless than 5 weight parts. By insuring this excess of at least 5 weightparts, a flexible layer can be formed in the laminate so that thetemperature dependence of loss tangent can be established. If thedifference is less than 5 weight parts, there will be no sufficientcontribution to the formation of a flexible layer within the laminate sothat no adequate sound insulation performance may be expected.

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to the second aspectof the invention is preferably such that at least one layer is comprisedof a poly (vinyl acetal) resin having an average polymerization degreeof not less than 1500, an acetalization degree of 60 to 85 mol %, anacetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %, with the combined total of saidacetalization degree and acetyl group content being not less than 75 mol%.

The method of determining the amounts of components of said poly(vinylacetal) resin in the second aspect of the invention is the same as thatmentioned in the description of the first aspect of the invention.

If the above average polymerization degree is less than 1500, the soundinsulation performance will not be sufficient and, in addition, themechanical strength will also be insufficient so that the impactresistance of the laminated glass will be poor.

If the acetalization degree referred to above is less than 60 mol %, thecompatibility of the resin with the plasticizer will be poor and theglass transition temperature of this layer will not be lowered so thatno improvement may be obtained in sound insulation performance in thelow temperature region. On the other hand, for reaction mechanismreasons, the acetalization degree cannot exceed 85 mol %. The morepreferred range is 63 to 70 mol %.

If the acetyl group content referred to above is less than 8 mol %, thecompatibility of the resin with the plasticizer will be poor so that thesound insulation performance of the layer may not be fully expressed. Onthe other hand, exceeding 30 mol % is undesirable because the rate ofreaction with the aldehyde will then be drastically decreased. The morepreferred range is 10 to 24 mol %.

As mentioned above, both the acetalization degree and acetyl groupcontent of the poly(vinyl acetal) resin have an effect on thecompatibility of the resin with the plasticizer. If the combined totalof these is less than 75 mol %, the compatibility of the resin with theplasticizer will be poor and the sound insulation performance in the lowtemperature region may not be improved.

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to the second aspectof the invention is preferably such that at least one constituent layerthereof is comprised of a poly (vinyl acetal) resin (C) obtained from apoly(vinyl alcohol) resin comprising a blend of poly(vinyl alcohol)resin (A) and poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (B), and a plasticizer, thedifference in the average polymerization degree between said poly(vinylalcohol) resin (A) and poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (B) being not less than500, said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) having an acetalization degree of60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %, with thecombined total of said acetalization degree and said acetyl groupcontent being not less than 75 mol %, or comprised of a poly (vinylacetal) resin (F) comprising a blend of a poly(vinyl acetal) resin (D)and a poly (vinyl acetal) resin (E), and a plasticizer, the differencein the average polymerization degree between said poly (vinyl acetal)resin (D) and poly (vinyl acetal) resin (E) being not less than 500,said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (F) having an acetalization degree of 60to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %, with thecombined total of said acetalization degree and acetyl group contentbeing not less than 75 mol %.

In regard of the second aspect of the invention, the averagepolymerization degree and saponification degree of the poly(vinylalcohol) resin can be measured, for example, in accordance with JIS K6726 “Testing methods for polyvinyl alcohol”.

The poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) mentioned above is obtainable from saidpoly(vinylalcohol) resin comprising a blend of said poly(vinyl alcohol)resin (A) and poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (B) having different averagepolymerization degrees, and the poly(vinyl acetal) resin (F) alsomentioned above is obtainable by blending said poly(vinyl acetal) resins(D) and (E) having different average polymerization degrees, with thedifference in the average polymerization degree between the two materialresins being not less than 500 in both cases.

Blending such resins with different average polymerization degreesbroadens the temperature range over which a satisfactory soundinsulation performance can be obtained. In addition, blending the resinhaving a higher average polymerization degree in a proportion of tens ofpercent with the resin having a lower average polymerization degreeresults in an improvement in mechanical strength as compared with thefilm formed exclusively from the resin having a lower polymerizationdegree. Because the resin having a higher polymerization degree formsfilms interspersed among the film formed from the resin having a lowerpolymerization degree and these films function as if they werecrosslinking points, the flow point at high temperature is not too highand the mechanical strength is efficiently enhanced. Conversely,blending the resin having a lower average polymerization degree in aproportion of tens of percent with the resin having a higher averagepolymerization degree results in a decline in film fluidity at hightemperature as compared with the film formed exclusively from the resinhaving a higher polymerization degree, thus making the resin easier tomold. This is because the resin having a lower polymerization degreefunctions as if it were a plasticizer. In this connection, the effect ofblending is not obtained when the difference in the averagepolymerization degree is less than 500.

In the second aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the averagepolymerization degree of said poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (A) and that ofsaid poly(vinyl acetal) resin (D) are 500 to 3,000 and the averagepolymerization degree of said poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (B) and that ofsaid poly(vinyl acetal) resin (E) are 3,000 to 5,000.

By using a poly (vinyl alcohol) resin (A) having an averagepolymerization degree within the range of 500 to 3,000 or a poly(vinylacetal) resin (D) having such an average polymerization degree, themechanical characteristics of the resulting resin film can be madesatisfactory and, moreover, the sound insulation performance of thelaminated glass fabricated using the same film can be made satisfactoryover a broad temperature range. If the average polymerization degree isless than 500, the mechanical strength of the resulting film will bedrastically reduced and, hence, the impact resistance of the laminatedglass will be unsatisfactory. On the other hand, if the averagepolymerization degree exceeds 3,000, the fluidity at high temperaturewill be so high that the moldability will be deteriorated.

When said poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (B) or poly(vinyl acetal) resin (E)having an average polymerization degree between 3,000 and 5,000 isblended with the above-mentioned resin (A) or (D), the mechanicalstrength is not sacrificed even if the glass transition temperature ofthe film is lowered for securing a good sound insulation performance onthe low temperature side. If the average polymerization degree is lessthan 3,000, there will be no effect of blending at all. On the otherhand, exceeding 5,000 is undesirable, for the very production of theresin will be rendered difficult.

In blending, the poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (B) or poly(vinyl acetal)resin (E) is preferably added in a proportion of 5 to 30 weight % to thepoly(vinyl alcohol) resin (A) or poly(vinyl acetal) resin (D). If theproportion is less than 5 weight %, the effect of blending will not beremarkable. If it exceeds 30 weight %, the effect of blending will notincrease any further.

Furthermore, it is also preferable to additionally provide a layer withgreater emphasis on the dynamic properties and other handlingcharacteristics of an interlayer film than on sound insulationproperties. The poly(vinyl acetal) resin to constitute this layer is notparticularly restricted but its acetalization degree is preferably notless than 50 mol %. If it is less than 50 mol %, the compatibility ofthe resin with the plasticizer will not be satisfactory enough so thatit will be difficult to add a necessary amount of the plasticizer forsecuring the penetration resistance of the laminated glass.

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to the second aspectof the invention is preferably such that at least one constituent layerthereof is made of a poly(vinyl acetal) resin containing a metal oxidemicroparticle having a heat ray-shielding function. By the formulationof said particle, the interlayer film for a laminated glass can beprovided with heat insulation properties.

The metal oxide microparticle mentioned above is not particularlyrestricted but include, among others, a particle of tin-doped indiumoxide (ITO), antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO), and aluminum-doped zincoxide (AZO). The level of addition of such metal oxide microparticle ispreferably 0.13 to 3.0 weight parts based on 100 weight parts of thepoly(vinyl acetal) resin. If it is less than 0.13 weight parts, theinfrared ray cut-off effect tends to be insufficient. If it exceeds 3.0weight parts, the visible light transmittance tends to be decreased.

Moreover, the interlayer film for a laminated glass according to each ofthe first and the second aspects of the invention is preferablylaminated with a polyester film. Thus, it is possible to provide alaminated glass of high strength and good sound insulation because theinterlayer is strengthened by the additional lamination of a polyesterfilm. Moreover, by the lamination of a polyester film carrying avapor-deposited metal film having a heat ray-reflecting function, therecan be provided a laminated glass having both a heat ray-reflectingfunction and sound insulation properties.

The laminar structure of the interlayer film for a laminated glassaccording to each of the first and the second aspects of the inventionwhich is further laminated with a polyester film may for example bepoly(vinyl acetal) resin film/polyester film/poly(vinyl acetal) resinfilm, poly(vinyl acetal) resin film/polyester film/poly(vinyl acetal)resin film, or the like.

Where necessary, the interlayer film for a laminated glass according toeach of the first and the second aspects of the invention may containone or more kinds of additives which are generally formulated, such asan ultraviolet absorber, a light stabilizer, an antioxidant, a bondstrength modulating agent, a surfactant, and a colorant.

The ultraviolet absorber mentioned above is not particularly restrictedbut includes benzotriazole UV absorbers such as Tinuvin P, Tinuvin 320,Tinuvin 326, and Tinuvin 328, all of which are the trade names of UVabsorbers manufactured by Ciba-Geigy. These may be used eachindependently or in a combination of two or more species.

The light stabilizer mentioned above is not particularly restricted butincludes hindered amine stabilizers, such as “Adeka Stab LA-57”, thetrade name of a stabilizer manufactured by Asahi Denka. These may beused each independently or in a combination of two or more species.

The antioxidant mentioned above is not particularly restricted butincludes phenol antioxidants such as Sumilizer BHT, the trade name of anantioxidant manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical, and Irganox 1010, thetrade name of an antioxidant manufactured by Ciba-Geigy, among others.These may be used each independently or in a combination of two or morespecies.

A typical lamination protocol for the production of the interlayer filmfor a laminated glass according to each of the first and the secondaspects of the invention is described below.

For example, the following kinds of resin film (X) and resin film (Y)are prepared.

Resin film (X)—which comprises 100 weight parts of poly(vinyl acetal)resin (X1) and 40 weight parts of plasticizer (X2).

Resin film (Y)—which comprises 100 weight parts of poly(vinyl acetal)resin (Y1) and 50 weight parts of plasticizer (Y2).

The two-layer structure of resin film (X)/resin film (Y) and the 3-layerstructure of resin film (X)/resin film (Y)/resin film (X) can be used.The 4-layer structure consisting of resin film (X)/resin film (Y)/resinfilm (X)/resin film (X) may also be used.

The method of laminating these films is not restricted. The poly(vinylacetal) resin (X1) and poly(vinyl acetal) resin (Y1), which constitutesaid resin film (X) and resin film (Y), respectively, may be the same ordifferent species. By the same token, the plasticizer (X2) andplasticizer (Y2) may also be the same or different.

Referring to the laminar structure of resin film (X) and resin film (Y),a polyester film may be laminated on one side of the resin film(X)/resin film (Y). The typical structure includes resin film (X)/resinfilm (Y)/polyester film/resin film (X) and resin film (X)/resin film(Y)/resin film (X)/polyester film/resin film (X), among othercombinations.

The film-forming method for the interlayer film for a laminated glassaccording to each of the first and the second aspects of the inventionis not particularly restricted but includes the method comprisingmolding the constituent layers each independently and interposing thembetween glass panels and the method comprising molding the constituentlayers as a unit by means of a multi-layer molding machine.

The whole thickness of the interlayer film for a laminated glassaccording to each of the first and the second aspects of the inventionis preferably 0.3 to 1.6 mm, which is the thickness of the conventionalinterlayer film for a laminated glass. As far as an interlayer film fora laminated glass is concerned, the greater its thickness is, the higheris its sound insulation performance, but the proper thickness ispreferably selected taking the penetration resistance required of thelaminated glass into consideration. For all practical purposes, theabove thickness range is recommended.

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to each of the firstand the second aspects of the invention can be typically manufactured bythe method which comprises kneading said poly(vinyl acetal) resin andplasticizer together and molding the resulting compound into a sheet bymeans of a press, a calender roll, an extruder, etc.

The laminated glass can then be manufactured by interposing theinterlayer film for a laminated glass according to each of the first andthe second aspects of the invention between at least a pair of glasspanels and bonding them into an integral unit. The laminated glassassembled by using the interlayer film for a laminated glass accordingto each of the first and the second aspects of the invention is also anembodiment of the present invention.

The glass panel referred to above is not particularly restricted butincludes panels made of various kinds of inorganic glass or organicglass, such as float glass, polished plate glass, figured glass, wiredglass, stripe glass, heat-ray absorbing glass, and colored plate glass.These may be used each independently or in a combination of two or morespecies.

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to the presentinvention may be sandwiched between highly rigid transparent membersother than glass panels. Such transparent members may for example bethose made of a polycarbonate resin. Such compositions also fall withinthe scope of the invention.

The method of producing the laminated glass of the invention is notparticularly restricted but any known method can be employed. A typicalmethod comprises interposing the interlayer film for a laminated glassaccording to the invention between glass panels and bonding them into anintegral unit by means of a hot press.

Because of the above constitution, the interlayer film for a laminatedglass and the laminated glass, both according to the invention, areprovided with a good sound insulation performance over a broadtemperature range without being compromised in the fundamentalcharacteristics required of any laminated glass or in the moldabilityand ease of handling of the interlayer film for a laminated glass and,in addition, without being compromised in mechanical strength despite animprovement in the sound insulation performance on the low temperatureside.

Uses for the interlayer film for a laminated glass and the laminatedglass according to the second aspect of the invention, are notparticularly restricted but especially for the purpose of imparting asound insulation performance, they can be used with advantage in thefield of road vehicles (particularly the front, side and rear parts ofan automobile) and in the field of architecture.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following examples illustrate the present invention in furtherdetail without defining the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

In the first place, a PVA having an average polymerization degree of2,000 was blended with 50 weight % of a PVA having an averagepolymerization degree of 3,500. Using this PVA blend, a poly(vinylbutyral) resin with a butyralization degree of 63.6 mol % and an acetylgroup content of 14.3 mol % was synthesized. To 100 weight parts of thispoly(vinyl butyral) resin was added 60 weight parts of the plasticizertriethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate (3GO), and the mixture wasthoroughly melt-kneaded with a mixing roll and pressed using a moldingpress at 150° for 30 minutes to give a 0.7 mm-thick resin film. Usingthis resin film as an interlayer film for a laminated glass, a laminatedglass was fabricated by the following procedure.

The above interlayer film for a laminated glass was sandwiched betweentwo square float glass panels of 300 mm square and 3 mm thick. Thisunpressed composition was placed in a rubber bag, and after the bag wasevacuated at a vacuum level of 2.7 kPa for 20 minutes, with the vacuumlevel being maintained, the bag was transferred to an oven preheated at90° C. and held at this temperature for 30 minutes. This provisionallyvacuum-pressed composition was then heat-bonded in an autoclave at apressure of 1.2 MPa and a temperature of 1350C to provide a transparentlaminated glass.

EXAMPLE 2

In the first place, a PVA having an average polymerization degree of2,000 was blended with 30 weight % of a PVA having an averagepolymerization degree of 3,500. From this PVA blend, a poly(vinylbutyral) resin having a butyralization degree of 63.3 mol % and anacetyl group content of 14.3 mol % was synthesized. Using this resin, aninterlayer film for a laminated glass and a laminated glass werefabricated in the same manner as in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3

In the first place, a PVA having an average polymerization degree of2,400 was blended with 30 weight % of a PVA having an averagepolymerization degree of 4,200. From this PVA blend, a poly(vinylbutyral) resin having a butyralization degree of 63.3 mol % and anacetyl group content of 14.4 mol % was synthesized. Using this resin, aninterlayer film for a laminated glass and a laminated glass werefabricated in the same manner as in Example 1.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

Starting with a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 2,000, apoly(vinyl butyral) resin with a butyralization degree of 63.7 mol % andan acetyl group content of 14.3 mol % was synthesized. Using this resin,an interlayer film for a laminated glass and a laminated glass werefabricated in the same manner as in Example 1.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

Starting with a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 3,500, apoly(vinyl butyral) resin with a butyralization degree of 63.9 mol % andan acetyl group content of 14.4 mol % was synthesized. Using this resin,an interlayer film for a laminated glass and a laminated glass werefabricated in the same manner as in Example 1.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

In the first place, a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 2,000was blended with 30 weight % of a PVA with an average polymerizationdegree of 2,800. Starting with this PVA blend, a poly (vinyl butyral)resin with a butyralization degree of 64.1 mol % and an acetyl groupcontent of 14.4 mol % was synthesized. Using this resin, an interlayerfilm for a laminated glass and a laminated glass were fabricated in thesame manner as in Example 1.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4

In the first place, a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 2,800was blended with 30 weight % of a PVA with an average polymerizationdegree of 3,500. Starting with this PVA blend, a poly (vinyl butyral)resin with a butyralization degree of 64.4 mol % and an acetyl groupcontent of 14.3 mol % was synthesized. Using this resin, an interlayerfilm for a laminated glass and a laminated glass were fabricated in thesame manner as in Example 1.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5

In the first place, a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 2,000was blended with 50 weight % of a PVA with an average polymerizationdegree of 3,500. Starting with this PVA blend, a poly(vinyl butyral)resin with a butyralization degree of 68.5 mol % and an acetyl groupcontent of 0.9 mol % was synthesized. Using this resin, an interlayerfilm for a laminated glass and a laminated glass were fabricated in thesame manner as in Example 1.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 6

In the first place, a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 500was blended with 50 weight % of a PVA with an average polymerizationdegree of 2,000. Starting with this PVA blend, a poly(vinyl butyral)resin with a butyralization degree of 63.5 mol % and an acetyl groupcontent of 14.4 mol % was synthesized. Using this resin, an interlayerfilm for a laminated glass and a laminated glass were fabricated as inExample 1.

The interlayer films and laminated glasses produced in Examples 1 to 3and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were evaluated for film physicalproperties and sound insulation performance by the following methods.The results are presented in Table 1.

(1) Physical Properties of the Interlayer Film for a Laminated Glass

The 110° C. flow viscosity of the interlayer film for a laminated glasswas measured with a flow tester (manufactured by Shimadzu, Flow TesterCFT500) and evaluated.

In Table 1, the interlayer with a large flow viscosity and satisfactoryphysical properties is rated O and the interlayer with a small flowviscosity and unsatisfactory physical properties is rated X.

(2) Sound Insulation Performance of the Laminated Glass

Using a vibration generator (manufactured by Shinken-sha, vibrator modelG21-005D) for damping test use, the laminated glass was vibrated at apredetermined temperature, the generated vibration characteristics wereamplified with a mechanical impedance amplifier (manufactured by Lyon;XG-81) and the vibration spectrum was analyzed with an FFT analyzer(manufactured by Yokogawa-Hewlett-Packard, FFT Spectrum AnalyzerHP-3582AA). From the thus-obtained ratio of loss factor/resonancefrequency with glass, the loss factor was calculated. Based on theresult, the minimum transmission loss around the frequency of 2,000 Hzwas taken as the TL value. Measurements were made between 0 and +30° C.at 10° C. intervals.

(3) Moldability, Etc.

The moldability of the synthesized resin into an interlayer film for alaminated glass and the incidence of panel shear and foaming during thefabrication of a laminated glass using the interlayer film wereevaluated.

The symbols used in Table 1 have the following meanings.

-   O: Good moldability; little panel shear, foaming, etc. occurred    during fabrication of laminated glass-   Δ: Slightly poor moldability; panel shear, foaming, etc. observed    during fabrication of laminated glass

X: Poor moldability; panel shear, foaming, etc. observed duringfabrication of laminated glass TABLE 1 Poly(vinyl acetal) resinPolymerization Butyralization Acetyl group Sound insulation performancedegree of PVA degree content TL value(dB) Flow viscosity Moldability,(blending ratio) mol % mol % 0° C. 10° C. 20° C. 30° C. poise etc.Example 1 2500 (50 wt. %) 63.6 14.3 36 37 35 33 1.85 × 10⁵ ◯ 3500 (50wt. %) ◯ 2 2000 (70 wt. %) 63.3 14.3 37 37 35 33 1.03 × 10⁵ ◯ 3500 (30wt. %) ◯ 3 2400 (70 wt. %) 63.3 14.4 36 36 34 33 1.99 × 10⁶ ◯ 4200 (30wt. %) ◯ Comparative 1 2000 (100 wt. %) 63.7 14.3 36 37 35 34 3.75 × 10⁴◯ example X 2 3500 (100 wt. %) 63.9 14.4 36 36 34 33 1.35 × 10⁶ X ◯ 32000 (70 wt. %) 64.1 14.4 37 36 35 33 5.33 × 10⁴ ◯ 2800 (30 wt. %) X 42800 (70 wt. %) 64.4 14.3 36 36 34 33 6.26 × 10⁵ Δ 3500 (30 wt. %) ◯ 52000 (50 wt. %) 68.5 0.9 22 23 28 32 1.97 × 10⁶ ◯ 3500 (50 wt. %) ◯ 6500 (50 wt. %) 63.5 14.4 36 35 34 33 5.46 × 10³ ◯ 2000 (50 wt. %) X

It is apparent from Table 1 that the interlayer films for laminatedglasses obtained in Examples 1 to 3 are satisfactory in physicalproperties and, showing only minor reductions in the TL value, exhibitgood sound insulation performance over a broad temperature range. On theother hand, the interlayer films for laminated glasses obtained inComparative Examples 1 to 6 were not as satisfactory in both of soundinsulation performance and physical properties.

EXAMPLE 4

(Preparation of Layer (A))

To a poly(vinyl butyral) resin (butyralization degree=68.9 mol %,acetylation degree=0.9 mol %; PVB) was added 39 weight parts (relativeto 100 weight parts of the resin) of triethylene glycoldi-2-ethylhexanoate (3GO) as plasticizer.

The mixture was thoroughly kneaded on a mixing roll and a predeterminedamount of the kneaded mass was transferred to a molding press and heldat 150° C. for 30 minutes, whereby a 0.2 mm thick layer (A) wasobtained.

(Preparation of Layer (B))

In the first place, a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with an averagepolymerization degree of 1,700 was used to synthesize a PVB resin with abutyralization degree of 64.5 mol % and an acetylation degree of 14.3mol %. To 100 weight parts of the PVB resin so synthesized was added 60weight parts of the plasticizer 3GO and the mixture was thoroughlykneaded on a mixing roll. The kneaded mass was transferred to a moldingpress and held at 150° C. for 30 minutes, whereby a 0.4 mm-thick layer(B) was obtained. The cloud point of the above resin and plasticizer wasmeasured.

(Preparation of a Laminated Film, and Fabrication of a Laminated GlassUsing the Film)

The layers (A) and (B) obtained as above were laminated together in thelayer (A)/layer (B)/layer (A) arrangement to prepare a three-layerinterlayer. From the laminated film thus obtained, a 20 mm square samplewas cut out for dynamic viscoelasticity measurement.

Then, the interlayer film was sandwiched between two float glass panelsof 300 mm square and 3 mm thick and this unpressed sandwich compositionwas placed in a rubber bag and, after 20 minutes' evacuation at a vacuumlevel of 2.7 kPa, the bag was transferred, as evacuated, to an oven at90° C. and held at this temperature for 30 minutes. The sandwichcomposition provisionally integrated by the above vacuum pressing washot-pressed in an autoclave under a pressure of 12 kg/cm² and atemperature of 135° C. to give a transparent laminated glass.

EXAMPLE 5

In the preparation of layers (A) and (B), triethylene glycoldi-n-heptanoate (3G7) was used as the plasticizer.

In the preparation of layer (B), a poly(vinyl butyral) resin derivedfrom a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 2,000 was used andthe level of addition of 3G7 was set to 58 weight parts. Otherwise, theprocedure of Example 4 was followed to give a laminated glass.

EXAMPLE 6

In the preparation of layers (A) and (B), tetraethylene glycoldi-2-ethylhexanoate (4GO) was used as the plasticizer. In thepreparation of layer (A), the level of addition of 4GO to the poly(vinylbutyral) resin was set to 40 weight parts. Otherwise, the procedure ofExample 4 was followed to give a laminated glass.

EXAMPLE 7

In the preparation of layers (A) and (B), tetraethylene glycoldi-n-heptanoate (4G7) was used as the plasticizer. In the preparation oflayer (A), the level of addition of 4G7 to the poly(vinyl butyral) resinwas set to 40 weight parts. On the other hand, in the preparation oflayer (B), a poly (vinyl butyral) resin derived from a PVA with anaverage polymerization degree of 2000 was used and the level of additionof 4G7 was set to 55 weight parts. Otherwise, the procedure of Example 4was followed to give a laminated glass.

EXAMPLE 8

The thickness of layers (A) and (B) was set to 0.4 mm each and atwo-layer arrangement of layer (A)/layer (B) was employed. Otherwise,the procedure of Example 4 was followed to give a laminated glass.

EXAMPLE 9

The thickness of layer (A) was set to 0.2 mm while the thickness oflayer (B) was set to 0.1 mm, and a 5-layer arrangement of layer(A)/layer (B)/layer (A)/layer (B)/layer (A) was employed. Otherwise, theprocedure of Example 4 was followed to give a laminated glass.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 7

Except that 3 GH was used as the plasticizer in the preparation oflayers (A) and (B), the procedure of Example 4 was followed to give alaminated glass.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 8

Except that, in the preparation of layer (B), 3 GH was used as theplasticizer and the level of addition was set to 40 weight parts, theprocedure of Example 4 was followed to give a laminated glass.

The interlayer films and laminated glasses produced in Examples 4 to 9and Comparative Examples 7 and 8 were respectively tested forperformance characteristics and evaluated by the following methods. Theresults are presented in Table 2.

(Sound Insulation Performance Test)

From each laminated glass, a rectangular sample measuring 20 mm wide and150 mm long was cut out as a test piece for sound insulationperformance. The sound insulation performance was measured in the samemanner as in Example 1.

(Dynamic Viscoelasticity Measurement)

The solid viscoelasticity tester RSA-II manufactured by Rheometrics wasused as the instrument. A 10×16 cm rectangular sample was cut out fromeach laminate and a sinusoidal strain with a measuring frequency of 10Hz was applied at a strain rate of 0.1% in the shear direction.

The measuring temperature range was −20° C. to +100° C., and themeasurement was made at a temperature increasing rate of 3° C./min.

Under the above conditions, storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″), andtheir ratio, namely loss tangent (tan δ), were measured as dynamicviscoelastic characteristics. Then, from the temperature curve of tan δ,the temperature corresponding to the maximum value of tan δ wasdetermined and used as the glass transition temperature.

(Heat Resistance Test)

The product laminated glass was left standing in a thermostatic chamberat 90° C. for 4 weeks and then examined for edge delamination (betweenglass and film). The evaluation was made in terms of the amount ofdelamination from the edge. The smaller the amount of delamination is,the higher is the heat resistance.

(Moisture Resistance Test)

The laminated glass was left standing in a thermohygrostat chamber at50° C., 95% RH for 4 weeks. At the end of this 4-week period, thelaminated glass was taken out and the distance of whitening from theedge was determined. The shorter the distance of whitening is, thehigher is the moisture resistance of the laminated glass. TABLE 2 Layer(A) Layer (B) Resin Resin Bu Plasticizer Bu Ac Plasticizer degree Weightdegree degree Polymerization Weight Cloud (mol %) Species parts (mol %)(mol %) degree Species parts point Example 4 68.9 3GO 39 64.5 14.3 17003GO 60 <20° C. Example 5 68.9 3G7 39 64.5 14.3 2000 3G7 58 30° C.Example 6 68.9 4GO 40 64.5 14.3 1700 4GO 60 <20° C. Example 7 68.9 4G740 577.5 14.3 2000 4G7 55 <20° C. Example 8 68.9 3GO 39 64.5 14.3 17003GO 60 <20° C. Example 9 68.9 3GO 39 64.5 14.3 1700 3GO 60 <20° C.Comparative 68.9 3GH 39 64.5 14.3 1700 3GH 60 40° C. example 7Comparative 68.9 3GO 39 64.5 14.3 1700 3GH 40 <20° C. example 8Evaluation of laminated glass tan δ Sound Maximum Heat Moistureinsulation on lowest Laminar resistance resistance performancetemperature structure Delamination Whitening TL value(dB) sideArrangement (mm) (mm) 0° C. 10° C. 20° C. 30° C. Example 4 5° C. A/B/A0.0 0.5 33 36 35 33 Example 5 9° C. A/B/A 0.0 0.5 32 35 36 33 Example 66° C. A/B/A 0.0 0.5 32 36 35 32 Example 7 10° C. A/B/A 0.0 0.5 33 35 3533 Example 8 5° C. A/B 0.0 0.5 34 36 35 33 Example 9 5° C. A/B/A 0.0 0.533 35 36 32 B/A Comparative 8° C. A/B/A 5.0 1.0 30 31 32 31 example 7Comparative 37° C. A/B/A 0.0 0.5 15 19 25 31 example 8

EXAMPLE 10

(Preparation of Layer (A))

To 100 weight parts of a poly(vinyl butyral) resin (butyralizationdegree=68.9 mol %, acetylation degree=0.9 mol %; PVB) was added 39weight parts of the plasticizer triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate(3GO).

The mixture was thoroughly kneaded on a mixing roll and a predeterminedamount of the kneaded mass was transferred to a molding press and heldat 150° C. for 30 minutes, whereby a 0.2 mm-thick layer (A) wasobtained.

(Preparation of Layer (B))

In the first place, 100 weight parts of a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) withan average polymerization degree of 2,000 was blended with 25 weightparts of a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 3,500. This PVAblend was used to synthesize a PVB resin with a butyralization degree of64.5 mol % and an acetylation degree of 14.3 mol %. To 100 weight partsof the PVB resin thus obtained was added 60 weight parts of theplasticizer 3GO. This mixture was thoroughly kneaded on a mixing rolland a predetermined amount of the kneaded mass was transferred to amolding press and held at 150° C. for 30 minutes, whereby a 0.4 mm-thicklayer (B) was obtained. The cloud point of the resin and plasticizer wasmeasured.

(Preparation of a Laminated Film and a Laminated Glass Incorporating theFilm)

The layers (A) and (B) prepared as above were superposed in the layer(A)/layer (B)/layer (A) arrangement to give a three-layer interlayerfilm.

This interlayer was sandwiched between a pair of float glass panels eachmeasuring 300 mm square and 3 mm thick and this unpressed sandwichcomposition was placed in a rubber bag. The bag was evacuated at avacuum level of 2.7 kPa for 20 minutes and transferred in evacuatedstate to an oven at 90° C. and held at that temperature for 30 minutes.The sandwich composition provisionally integrated by the above vacuumpressing was heat-bonded in an autoclave under a pressure of 12 kg/cm²at a temperature of 135° C. to give a transparent laminated glass.

EXAMPLE 11

Except that, in the preparation of layers (A) and (B), triethyleneglycol di-n-heptanoate (3G7) was used as the plasticizer and that thelevel of addition thereof in the preparation of layer (B) was set to 58weight parts, the procedure of Example 10 was followed to give alaminated glass.

EXAMPLE 12

One-hundred weight parts of a PVA with an average polymerization degreeof 2,000 was blended with 11 weight parts of a PVA with an averagepolymerization degree of 500. This PVA blend was used to synthesize aPVB resin with a butyralization degree of 64.5 mol % and an acetylationdegree of 14.3 mol %. Except that this PVB resin was used in thepreparation of layer (B), the procedure of Example 10 was followed togive a laminated glass.

EXAMPLE 13

One-hundred weight parts of a PVA with an average polymerization degreeof 1,700 was blended with 42 weight parts of a PVA with an averagepolymerization degree of 3, 500. This PVA blend was used to synthesize aPVB resin with a butyralization degree of 64.5 mol % and an acetylationdegree of 14.3 mol %. Except that this PVB resin was used in thepreparation of layer (B), the procedure of Example 10 was followed togive a laminated glass.

EXAMPLE 14

The layer (A) was prepared by adding 40 weight parts of tetraethyleneglycol di-2-ethylhexanoate (4GO) as the plasticizer to 100 weight partsof a PVB resin (butyralization degree=65.9 mol %, acetylation degree=0.9mol %).

The layer (B) was prepared by adding 60 weight parts of 4GO as theplasticizer to a PVB resin (butyralizaiton degree=57.3 mol %,acetylation degree=20.0 mol %) obtained from the blend of 100 weightparts of a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 2, 300 and 42weight parts of a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 4,000.Otherwise, the procedure of Example 10 was followed to give a laminatedglass.

EXAMPLE 15

The layer (A) was prepared by adding 40 weight parts of tetraethyleneglycol di-n-heptanoate (4G7) as the plasticizer to 100 weight parts of aPVB resin (butyralization degree=68.9 mol %, acetylation degree=0.9 mol%).

For use as the layer (B), the following resin film was prepared. Thus,100 weight parts of a PVB resin (butyralization degree=64.5 mol %,acetylation degree=14.3 mol %) synthesized from a PVA having an averagepolymerization degree of 1,700 was blended with 42 weight parts of a PVBresin (butyralization degree=64.5 mol %, acetylation degree=14.3 mol %)synthesized from a PVA having an average polymerization degree of 4,000.To 100 weight parts of this PVB resin blend was added 60 weight parts of4G7 as the plasticizer, and a resin film was prepared.

Otherwise, the procedure of Example 10 was repeated to fabricate alaminated glass.

EXAMPLE 16

For use as the layer (B), the following resin film was prepared.One-hundred weight parts of a PVB resin (butyralization degree=64.5 mol%, acetylation degree=14.3 mol %) synthesized from a PVA with an averagepolymerization degree of 1,200 was blended with 100 weight parts of aPVB resin (butyralization degree=64.5 mol %, acetylation degree=14.3 mol%) synthesized from a PVA with an average polymerization degree of3,500. To 100 weight parts of this PVB resin blend was added 60 weightparts of 3GO as the plasticizer, and a resin film was prepared.

Otherwise, the procedure of Example 10 was followed to give a laminatedglass.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 9

Except that 3 GH was selected as the plasticizer to be added to bothlayers (A) and (B) and that a PVB resin having a butyralization degreeof 64.5 mol % and an acetylation degree of 14.3 mol % as synthesizedfrom a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 1,700 was used forthe preparation of layer (B), the procedure of Example 10 was followedto give a laminated glass.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 10

Except that 3 GH was selected as the plasticizer to be added to bothlayers (A) and (B) and that a PVB resin having a butyralization degreeof 64.5 mol % and an acetylation degree of 14.3 mol % as synthesizedfrom a PVA with an average polymerization degree of 3,500 was used forthe preparation of layer (B), the procedure of Example 10 was followedto give a laminated glass.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 11

Except that DHA was selected as the plasticizer to be added to bothlayers (A) and (B), that the level of addition of the plasticizer tolayer (A) was set to 40 weight parts, and that a PVB resin with abutyralization degree of 57.3 mol % and an acetylation degree of 13.0mol % was used as the PVB resin for layer (B), the procedure of Example10 was followed to give a laminated glass.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 12

Except that 3 GH was selected as the plasticizer to be added to bothlayers (A) and (B) and that a PVA obtained by blending 100 weight partsof a PVA having an average polymerization degree of 1,700 with 42 weightparts of a PVA having an average polymerization degree of 1,900 was usedfor layer (B), the procedure of Example 10 was followed to give alaminated glass.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 13

Except that as the layer (B), a resin film prepared by adding 60 weightparts of the plasticizer 3 GH to 100 weight parts of the same PVB resinas used for layer (A) in Example 14 was used, the procedure of Example14 was followed to give and evaluate a laminated glass.

The interlayer films and laminated glasses produced in Examples 10 to 16and Comparative Examples 9 to 13 were respectively subjected to thefollowing performance tests. The results are presented in Table 3.

(Sound Insulation Test)

From each laminated glass, a rectangular sample measuring 20 mm wide and150 mm long was cut out for use as a sound insulation performancespecimen. The sound insulation performance test was carried out in thesame manner as in Example 1.

(Dynamic Viscoelasticity Measurement)

In the same manner as in Example 4, tan δ was measured and the glasstransition temperature was determined.

(Panel Shear at High Temperature)

The product laminated glass was supported vertically in such a mannerthat while one of its glass panels was held stationary, the other panelwas free to move in a vertical direction. The sheet thus supported wasplaced in a thermostatic chamber at 80° C. and the amount of shear ofthe freely movable glass panel in the vertical direction was measuredafter one week of sitting of the sheet in the chamber. The sheet wasrated “acceptable” when the above amount of shear was within the rangeof 3 mm.

(Bake Test)

The laminated glass was allowed to sit in a thermostatic chamber at 130°C. for 2 hours and the foaming along the glass edge was visuallyevaluated. The sample was rated “acceptable” when foaming took placeonly within 15 mm from the peripheral edge and “not acceptable”otherwise. Among samples considered acceptable, those showing a total ofnot more than 10 air cells were rated “excellent”.

-   ⊚: Excellent-   ◯: Acceptable

X: Not acceptable TABLE 3 Layer (A) Layer (B) Resin Resin Bu PlasticizerBu Ac Plasticizer degree Weight degree degree Polymerization WeightCloud (mol %) Species parts (mol %) (mol %) degree Species parts pointExample 10 68.9 3GO 39 64.5 14.3 2000 3GO 60 <20° C. 3500 Example 1168.9 3G7 39 64.5 14.3 2000 3G7 58 30° C. 3500 Example 12 68.9 3GO 3964.5 14.3 2000 3GO 60 <20° C.  500 Example 13 68.9 3GO 39 64.5 14.3 17003GO 60 <20° C. 3500 Example 14 65.9 4GO 40 57.3 20.0 2300 4GO 60 <20° C.4000 Example 15 68.9 4G7 40 64.5 14.3 1700 4G7 60 30° C. 4000 Example 1668.9 3GO 39 64.5 14.3 1200 3GO 60 <20° C. 3500 Comparative 68.9 3GH 3964.5 14.3 1700 3GH 60 40° C. example 9 Comparative 68.9 3GH 39 64.5 14.33500* 3GH 60 40° C. example 10 Comparative 68.9 DHA 40 57.3 13 2000 DHA60 60° C. example 11 3500 Comparative 68.9 3GH 39 64.5 14.3 1700 3GH 6040° C. example 12 1900 Comparative 65.9 3GH 40 65.9 0.9 2300 3GH 60 110°C. example 13 4000 Evaluation tan δ of laminated Sound Maximum glassinsulation on lowest Panel performance temperature shear Bake TLvalue(dB) side (mm) test 0° C. 10° C. 20° C. 30° C. Example 10 5° C. 1.5⊚ 33 36 35 33 Example 11 9° C. 1.5 ⊚ 32 35 36 33 Example 12 5° C. 2 ⊚ 3236 35 32 Example 13 5° C. 1.5 ⊚ 33 35 35 33 Example 14 6° C. 1 ⊚ 32 3534 33 Example 15 10° C. 1 ⊚ 31 34 35 34 Example 16 5° C. 1 ⊚ 32 35 35 33Comparative 8° C. 5 ◯ 30 31 32 31 example 9 Comparative 8° C. 0.5 ⊚ 2930 33 32 example 10 Comparative 21° C. 1.5 ⊚ 22 25 32 33 example 11Comparative 8° C. 5 ◯ 30 30 31 32 example 12 Comparative 37° C. 1 ⊚ 1822 25 31 example 13*Moldability very poor

EXAMPLE 17

The interlayer film described in Example 4 and a 0.4 mm-thick filmprepared by press-molding the resin-plasticizer composition describedfor layer (A) in Example 4 were laminated with interposition of thepolyethylene telephthalate (PET) film Lumirror S-10 (0.05 mm thick), aproduct of Toray.

Using the interlayer film thus constructed, a laminated glass wasfabricated.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 14

The interlayer film described in Comparative Example 7 was laminatedwith a 0.44 mm-thick film press-molded from the resin-plasticizercomposition described for layer (A) in Comparative Example 7 withoutinterposition of PET film. Using the interlayer thus constructed, alaminated glass was fabricated.

The interlayer films and laminated glasses produced in Example 17 andComparative Example 14 were respectively evaluated for sound insulationperformance as in Example 1 and further subjected to a ball-drop test inaccordance with the following protocol. The results are presented inTable 4.

The evaluation test was carried out by a protocol based on JIS R 3212with the height of dropping a steel ball grading in units of 0.25 m andthe height at which the ball penetration was prevented in 50% of thetotal number of laminated glass test pieces was determined. The distancebetween the steel ball and the glass surface was taken as “average balldropping height”. Therefore, the larger the value of said average balldropping height is, the greater is the penetration resistance. TABLE 4Evaluation of Sound insulation laminated glass performance, Average ballTL value(dB) Laminate dropping 0° 10° 20° 30° 7 Arrangement height(m) C.C. C. C. Example 17 Interlayer film of 6.5 31 34 35 34 Ex. 4/PET/Layer(A) of Ex. 4 Comparative Interlayer film of 5 29 30 30 32 example 14Comp. Ex. 7/Layer (A) of Comp. Ex. 7

EXAMPLE 18

Except that, in preparing the layer (B), 100 weight parts of the poly(vinyl butyral) resin was mixed with 60 weight parts of the plasticizer3GO and, as the metal oxide microparticle, ITO was further added in aproportion of 1.4 weight parts based on the whole interlayer film, athree-layer resin film was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4and a laminated glass was fabricated using the film.

EXAMPLE 19

Except that, in preparing the layer (B), ATO was added as the metaloxide particle, the procedure of Example 5 was otherwise followed tofabricate a laminated glass.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 15

Except that an interlayer film of the 3-layer composition described inComparative Example 7 was used and that in fabricating a laminatedglass, an ITO vapor-deposited heat ray-reflecting glass was used in lieuof the float glass, the procedure of Example 14 was followed to give alaminated glass.

The interlayer films for laminated glasses and laminated glassesproduced in Examples 18 and 19 and Comparative Example 15 wererespectively evaluated for sound insulation performance in the samemanner as in Example 1 and a dynamic viscoelasticity determination wasalso carried out as in Example 4. In addition, the following performancetests were carried out. The results are presented in Table 5.

(Optical Characteristics)

Using a spectrophotometer (manufactured by Shimadzu, UV3100), thetransmittance of the laminated glass was measured at 340 to 1800 nm andin accordance with JIS Z 8722, JIS R 3106, and JIS Z 8701, the visiblelight transmittance Tv at 380 to 780 nm and the solar radiationtransmittance Ts at 340 to 1800 nm were evaluated.

(Electromagnetic Wave Transmission)

In accordance with the KEC method (electromagnetic wave shielding test),the reflection loss value (dB) over the range of 10 to 2,000 MHz wasmeasured, with the 3 mm-thick ordinary single-layer float glass sheetbeing used as control, and the maximum difference in reflection lossvalue within the above-mentioned frequency range was evaluated asΔdBmax. TABLE 5 Layer (B) Layer (A) Resin Resin Plasticizer Bu AcPlasticizer Metal Bu Weight degree degree Polymerization Weight oxidedegree (mol %) Species parts (mol %) (mol %) degree Species parts fineparticle Example 18 68.9 3GO 39 64.5 14.3 1700 3GO 60 ITO Example 1968.9 3G7 39 64.5 14.3 2000 3G7 58 ATO Comparative 68.9 3GH 39 64.5 14.31700 3GH 60 Coated example 15 glass Evaluation of laminated glassEvaluation of laminated glass tan δ ΔdBmax Sound insulation Maximum onlowest Tv Ts Electric Magnetic performance TL value(dB) temperature side% % field field 0° C. 10° C. 20° C. 30° C. Example 18 5° C. 78 50.0 1 133 36 35 33 Example 19 9° C. 77 49.0 1 1 32 35 36 33 Comparative 8° C.80 56.0 50.0 20.0 30 31 32 31 example 15Tv: Visible light transmissionTs: Solar radiation transmission

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to the presentinvention, by virtue of the constitution described hereinbefore,exhibits an excellent sound insulation performance over a broadtemperature range with prevention of a reduction in TL value throughattenuation of the coincidence effect without being compromised in thebasic characteristics required of laminated glass such as transparency,weather ability, impact energy absorbency, and adhesion to glass, or infilm moldability and ease of handling, and in the fabrication of alaminated glass, prevents panel shear and foaming on account of itsappropriate physical properties.

1. An interlayer film for a laminated glass comprising a poly(vinylacetal) resin (C), which is a blend of a poly(vinyl acetal) resin (A)and a poly(vinyl acetal) resin (B), and a plasticizer, said poly(vinylacetal) resin (A) having an average polymerization degree of 1,000 to3,000, said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (B) having an averagepolymerization degree of 3,000 to 5,000, the difference in the averagepolymerization degree between said poly (vinyl acetal) resin (A) andpoly (vinyl acetal) resin (B) being not less than 1,500, said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) having an acetalization degree of 60 to 85 mol% and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %, with the combined totalof said acetalization degree and acetyl group content being not lessthan 75 mol %, and the cloud point of a solution prepared by dissolving8 weight parts of said poly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) in 100 weight partsof said plasticizer being not higher than 50° C.
 2. An interlayer filmfor a laminated glass which comprises a laminate of films eachcomprising a poly (vinyl acetal) resin and at least one plasticizerselected from the group consisting of triethylene glycoldi-2-ethylhexanoate, tetraethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate,triethylene glycol di-n-heptanoate, and tetraethylene glycoldi-n-heptanoate, and which shows a temperature dependence of losstangent in which the lowest-temperature side maximum of loss tangentappears at 30° C. or lower when examined for dynamic viscoelasticity. 3.The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to claim 2, whereinat least one constituent layer is such that the cloud point of asolution prepared by dissolving 8 weight parts of the poly(vinyl acetal)resin in 100 weight parts of the plasticizer is not higher than 50° C.4. The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to claim 2 or 3,wherein the amount of the plasticizer relative to 100 weight parts ofthe poly(vinyl acetal) resin is larger in at least one constituent layerthan that in the other layer or layers by not less than 5 weight parts.5. The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to any of claims2 to 4, wherein at least one constituent layer is such that thepoly(vinyl acetal) resin has an average polymerization degree of notless than 1,500, an acetalization degree of 60 to 85 mol % and an acetylgroup content of 8 to 30 mol %, with the combined total of saidacetalization degree and acetyl group content being not less than 75 mol%.
 6. The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to any ofclaims 2 to 5, in which at least one constituent layer comprises apoly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) derived from a poly (vinyl alcohol) resinwhich is a blend of a poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (A) and a poly(vinylalcohol) resin (B), and a plasticizer, the difference in the averagepolymerization degree between said poly(vinyl alcohol) resin (A) andpoly(vinyl alcohol) resin (B) being not less than 500, and saidpoly(vinyl acetal) resin (C) having an acetalization degree of 60 to 85mol % and an acetyl group content of 8 to 30 mol %, with the combinedtotal of said acetalization degree and acetyl group content being notless than 75 mol %.
 7. The interlayer film for a laminated glassaccording to any of claims 2 to 5, in which at least one constituentlayer comprises a poly(vinyl acetal) resin (F), which is a blend of apoly(vinyl acetal) resin (D) and a poly(vinyl acetal) resin (E), and aplasticizer, the difference in the average polymerization degree betweensaid poly(vinyl acetal) resin (D) and poly(vinyl acetal) resin (E) beingnot less than 500, and said poly (vinyl acetal) resin (F) having anacetalization degree of 60 to 85 mol % and an acetyl group content of 8to 30 mol %, with the combined total of said acetalization degree andacetyl group content being not less than 75 mol %.
 8. The interlayerfilm for a laminated glass according to claim 6, wherein the poly(vinylalcohol) resin (A) has an average polymerization degree of 500 to 3,000and the poly (vinyl alcohol) resin (B) has an average polymerizationdegree of 3,000 to 5,000.
 9. The interlayer film for a laminated glassaccording to claim 7, wherein the poly(vinyl acetal) resin (D) has anaverage polymerization degree of 500 to 3,000 and the poly (vinylacetal) resin (E) has an average polymerization degree of 3,000 to5,000.
 10. The interlayer film for a laminated glass according to any ofclaims 2 to 9, wherein at least one constituent layer is such that thepoly(vinyl acetal) resin contains a metal oxide microparticle having aheat ray-shielding function.
 11. The interlayer film for a laminatedglass according to any of claims 1 to 10, which is further laminatedwith a polyester film.
 12. The interlayer film for a laminated glassaccording to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the poly(vinyl acetal) resinis a poly(vinyl butyral) resin.
 13. A laminated glass comprising anintegral artifact consisting of at least a pair of glass panels and, asinterposed therebetween, an interlayer film for a laminated glassaccording to any of claims 1 to 12.